雙語美文：生命的盛夏與嚴冬

An unusually hot and wet spring this year

今年的春天出奇的潮溼悶熱

was followed by an extremely hot and wet summer.

隨之而來的夏天更是潮溼悶熱到了極點

Sunny skies were constantly giving way to heavy showers

晴朗的天空經常會給大暴雨讓步

only to be replaced with more sun and heat.

最後到來的卻是更加灼熱的陽光，更燥熱的溫度

This combination has made for a few changes

這樣的天氣組合讓我們一家人不得不做出改變

from our regular Summer here in the mountains of my home.

不再像往常的山中避暑那樣度日

The limbs on the trees are growing twice as fast as usual

樹上的枝椏長得比平時快了一倍

and their leaves are huge.

樹葉也大得出奇

The Queen Anne’s Lace, Daisies and Black Eyed Susan’s

野胡蘿蔔花，雛菊花和黑眼蘇珊花

are growing waist high in the meadows

在草叢中已經長到了齊腰高

and on the sides of the roads.

還蔓生到了路邊

The bush in my front yard is shooting up as fast as a Sunflower.

我們前院裏的灌木叢已經和向日葵一般高

The grass in my yards is thicker and taller than ever.

院子裏的草也比任何時候都要深厚修長

Butterflies and Bumble Bees are everywhere

蝴蝶和熊蜂四處飛舞

as are the Yellow Jackets and Hornets.

小黃蜂和馬蜂也是

Mama deer to feast on the abundance of crab apples on the ground.

前來享用落在地上滿滿一堆的沙果

Squirrels with acorns are scurrying up the trees

松鼠們抱着橡子在樹上急速跑來跑去

 and baby birds are flying out of their nests.

雛鳥從鳥巢裏飛出來

Everywhere I look there is an explosion of growth and life.

我放眼四望，所見之處，萬物生長，生機勃勃。

It is incredible to see.

這景象真令人驚歎

We humans are a little different than the rest of nature, however.

不過，我們人類與自然界的其他物種有些不同

Yes, our bodies do grow best in optimal conditions.

是的，當我們的身體處於最優的條件下時，就能呈現最佳狀態

We grow healthy and strong when we have good food, clean water, fresh air, and plenty of exercise.

當我們擁有優質的食物，乾淨的水源，清新的空氣，以及充足的鍛鍊，我們就會長得又健康又強壯

On the inside, though,

不過，我們的內心卻不是如此

it is often during the hardest times that we grow the most.

人的內心往往是在最艱難的處境中成長的最快

During the times of death, loss, and suffering

當我們面對死亡，失去和痛苦的時候

is when our souls grow stronger.

我們的靈魂就會變得更加堅強

During the bleakest Wintertime

在最凜冽的嚴冬

is when our hearts grow more loving.

我們的心會更加充滿愛

During the worst times of our lives

在我們一生中最糟糕的處境中

is when we help each other the most.

我們纔會最懂得相互幫助

Why is it that we grow kinder, stronger, and wiser during the tough times as well as the good ones?

爲什麼，我們在艱難的時候，會和順遂的時候一樣，變得更加善良，更加堅強，更加睿智呢？

Why is it that the worst in this world often brings out the best in us?

爲什麼，最糟糕的世界，往往能成就最好的我們？

No one knows for sure,

沒有人確切知道答案

but I am happy with the mystery.

但我對這樣的神祕感十分滿足

Live well then.

所以，請好好生活吧

Love much.

請多多的去愛

Grow strong.

請讓自己強大起來

Be the person nature meant for you to be

成爲生活希望你成爲的那個人

 during the Winter nights

無論是在人生的嚴寒冬季

as well as the Summer days.

還是在人生的繁華盛夏